Happy Bithday Landon

I'm about gone, but wanted to make sure I posted something for him. How can I adequately express how grateful I was that he came easy for us? Almost unexpectedly and after a 4 year gap between Tanner and Emma, Landon arrived about 17 months behind her. While I was pregnant with him I had a pretty distinct impression that he was a boy and have not been surprised by his "softer" quality. How can I explain it. Yes he does cry and whine (a lot) but, there is a gentleness about him that is dear to my heart. He uses his pointer fingers, was my first real and timely crawler, has the growls of a little boy, is easily startled, needs little sleep, loved nursing (okay he is still nursing, I'm working on it), and at times still holds his legs and feet all wrapped up just like I imagined him inside.

He arrived almost 4 weeks early. My mom came into town in perfect time ( I cannot sing her praises enough) to help with the kids and when THE DAY came Ryan did not really think I was in labor, even at the hospital he stressed to me to not be "disappointed when they send you home". His highly sensitive physician bed-side manner was ever present (I wanted to whack him with the book he was reading). Yet, Landon did come, just 4 short hours later after being admitted. Ryan says he remembers being "exhausted" ( I think it was from his residency work hours?) But I remember seeing Ryan cry with me as we both realized he looked so much like Tanner, but with dark hair. He weighed in at a hefty 9 pounds 3 ounces and pretty immediately it became apparent that he had some sugar tolerance issues. He stayed in the NICU for 13 long days and I have never wanted anything more than to just bring him home. Although it was an exhausting time, we still had my mom here. My mother-in-law and sister Summer and dear friend Stephanie each said, if you need me I will be on a plane RIGHT NOW and family called all the time to check on us. How much every single gesture meant to me from near and far. Landon came to a home that greatly appreciated him and to the arrival of some of the very best family and friends I could not have hand picked better. May he always know it! May he always, always know how loved he is.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com